Editor's Desk: BLA Needs Your Help

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 10/9/03)

Diocesan offices such as Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools, Catechetics, Family Life, Vocations, Youth Ministry and Construction Management depend upon the contributions of diocesan Catholics to the annual Bishop’s Lenten Appeal (BLA) to continue their active and growing ministries.

The 2003 campaign, which began in March for Bloc I parishes, moved into its second phase when Bloc II parishes were contacted last week. "A Sacrifice in Thanksgiving" is the theme of this year’s effort, which annually funds over $5 million in operational needs of the diocese.

The diocesan Capital Campaign "Rooted in Faith — Forward in Hope" — which ended in June — will provide funds for long-term capital needs, while the BLA provides revenue for the operational needs of the diocese, said Robert Mueller, diocesan director of stewardship and development.

The diocese has always restricted the funds received for the areas outlined in the brochure. A "Statement of Accountability" appears in print on the campaign literature for the first time. The statement reads: "All dollars collected for the BLA have been and will continue to be used exclusively for the purposes stated in the annual campaign brochure. No funds raised through the BLA are used for any other purpose."

The Office of Youth Ministry sponsors highly visible events such as Workcamp in the summer and the annual Youth Rally coming up on Nov. 1 at Bishop O’Connell High School. The recent hiring of assistant director Katie Bergman will allow director Kevin Bohli to expand his office’s outreach even more, as exemplified with last weekend’s Parent/Teen conference at Paul VI High School (see story and photo on page 14).

The Office for Family Life conducts its regular schedule of Conferences for the Engaged. It also provides post-abortion counseling through Project Rachel. It attempts to reach out to young adults through its popular Theology on Tap series, which recently expanded to a third location in Old Town Alexandria.

Also under the auspices of Family Life, Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will celebrate the annual Marriage Jubilee Mass Oct. 26 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. The bishop will celebrate his monthly Respect Life Mass on Oct. 11 at St. Rita Church in Alexandria and Nov. 1 at All Saints Church in Manassas.

The Office of Catholic Schools is preparing for its annual education institute at Bishop O’Connell High School on Oct. 24. More than 1,000 Catholic school teachers and administrators will gather in Arlington to strengthen their professional expertise.

The next generation of diocesan Catholic priests is being educated at three seminaries thanks to BLA contributions. More than $700,000 funded seminarian tuition expenses and vocations programs last fiscal year.

The purchase of land for future parish sites is another tangible result of BLA funds with an average new parish site costing $2 million. Holy Trinity Parish in Gainesville was the most recent beneficiary of such a gift.

"I make this annual appeal to your generosity and goodness, not for myself, but because my role as shepherd requires me to use my voice to speak in the name of those who otherwise could not appeal to you," wrote Bishop Paul S. Loverde in the appeal brochure.

Support of the campaign "provides significant resources so that the mission of our parishes and schools is strengthened and the Gospel message of hope impacts the lives of as many people as possible," the bishop said.

Contact the Office of Stewardship and Development at 703/841-2545 to find out how you can help with the 2003 BLA.

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